Charlie Kirk memorial updates: 'I forgive him,' Erika Kirk says of alleged shooter

President Trump called Kirk "immortal" and speakers called him a "martyr."

Last Updated: September 21, 2025, 7:22 PM EDT

Charlie Kirk was remembered as a "martyr" and "warrior" by some of the leading lights of the conservative movement, the Trump administration, friends as well as his grieving widow during a packed memorial service in Arizona Sunday.

As President Trump and others noted, the service felt more like a "revival" rather than a memorial, and Kirk's connection to and efforts for his Christian faith were on full display throughout. Kirk was recalled for the movement among young conservatives that he helped spark, his willingness to debate and his fearlessness in the face of threats.

In a poignant moment, Kirk's widow, Erika said that she forgives her husband's alleged assassin.

Kirk, 31, founded Turning Point USA at age 18 and rose to become one of the most prominent conservative voices in the country. His influence, particularly with young people, helped propel Trump to office. But some of his comments on gun violence, LGBTQ issues, race and more often drew criticism from liberals and others.

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Here's how the news is developing.
Sep 21, 2025, 6:15 PM EDT

Erika Kirk says husband's 'greatest cause' was 'trying to revive the American family'

Erika Kirk said in her remarks that the "greatest cause in Charlie's life was trying to revive the American family."

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow speaks during the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

"When he spoke to young people, he was always eager to tell them about God's vision for marriage and how if they could just dare to live it out, it would enrich every part of their life in the same way that it enriched ours," she said.

She then shared personal stories of their marriage, saying she was his "closest and most trusted adviser, his best friend."

Sep 21, 2025, 6:06 PM EDT

Erika Kirk says she experienced heartache she 'didn't know existed' when she saw husband's body

While speaking at her husband's memorial service, Erika Kirk gave a glimpse into the moment when she saw Charlie Kirk's body on Sept. 10, saying she experienced a "level of heartache I didn't even know existed."

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow speaks during the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.
Daniel Cole/Reuters

She said she saw the "faintest smile" on his lips, telling her that "Charlie didn't suffer" and that there was no "fear" or "agony" when he died.

Sep 21, 2025, 5:59 PM EDT

Erika Kirk takes the stage

Erika Kirk, widow of Charlie Kirk, wiped tears from her eyes as she began addressing the thousands of people gathered at State Farm Stadium.

Erika Kirk, Charlie Kirk's widow, arrives to speak at the public memorial service for right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in Glendale, Arizona, September 21, 2025.
Mandel Ngan/AFP via Getty Images

"I bless all of you for coming here from all over the world to honor and celebrate my Charlie," she said.

Sep 21, 2025, 5:56 PM EDT

Vance says 'evil still walks among us' but people must 'focus on the good'

Vice President JD Vance said "they tried to silence our dear friend Charlie Kirk" but at the conservative activist's memorial service, "we speak for Charlie louder than ever."

Vance said Kirk would "encourage me to be honest that evil walks among us" but he would want people to "focus on the good."

"America was his home and he was willing to die for it," Vance said.

Vice President JD Vance spoke at the memorial event for Charlie Kirk being held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
16:26
JD Vance: We speak for Charlie Kirk 'louder than ever'Vice President JD Vance spoke at the memorial event for Charlie Kirk being held at the State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.
ABCNews.com

Vance added that Kirk "exemplified kindness, courage and a commitment to open debate" and was a "great American leader."

"Now our whole administration is here but not just because we love Charlie as a friend, even though we did, but because we know we wouldn't be here without him. Charlie built an organization that reshaped the balance of our politics," Vance said.

He described Tyler Robinson, the suspect who was charged for allegedly killing Kirk, as an "evil murderer" and said that after Kirk's death, "we have seen the very worst parts of our humanity."

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